Grow Mint in Containers

Harvesting Mint
Basically, cut the leaves when needed - a pair of scissors or nipping with the fingers picture of mint variety both work well. It pays to cut the top leaves first, because this will encourage the plant to shoot out again further down the stem. Never strip the plant of all its leaves. It is possible to store the leaves in a warm place to dry, but some of the flavour goes.

Container Growing
This herb is ideally suited to container culture and will grow happily in potting compost. Attention throughout the year is minimal. Water if the compost is drying out, and feed with liquid plant food monthly throughout the growing season. Container grown plants are more likely to affected by severe frosts, so move the containers close to the house walls in winter.

Varieties of Mint

Variety	Size	Use	Comments
Spearmint (garden mint)	45cm (18in) high	Culinary	The mint most commonly grown. Full of flavour and simple to grow.
Bowles' Mint	90cm (3ft) high	Culinary	Best flavour of all, but not for use in salads because of hairy leaves!
Apple mint	60cm (2ft) high	Culinary	Mint and fruit flavour - great in fruit salads
Pennyroyal	Spreads far, very low growing	Culinary	Very strong flavour - use in small quantities only. Dangerous for pregnant women, so not advised for general use (was used to induce abortions).
Peppermint	60cm (2ft) high	Culinary, but mainly for tea.	'Black' peppermint is better than 'white' peppermint.
Spanish mint	Spreads far, low growing (2cm or 1in)	Decorative	Good between paving stones.

END OF MINT ARTICLE

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